FROM CADWALLADER COLDEN TO W. STRAHAN.

Remarks on a New Method of Printing, in Reply to Mr. Strahan's Objections.

SIR,

3 December, 1743.

As I think myself much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken to answer a paper I formerly wrote to Mr. Collinson, I take the first opportunity to acknowledge it. I am fully convinced, that your reasonings are just; and, as they have been likewise confirmed by experience, they leave no room to doubt.* But, at the same time, I must inform you, that you have not entirely taken my view. I easily, and at first, perceived that this method would not succeed for common books, which generally bear but one edition, and are chiefly calculated for the present times, and with a view to a speedy profit, while the present taste and humor lasts. I had confined my view to particular cases, and to a narrow compass, to books in the sciences, and to such only, which have an intrinsic value independent of the governing humor or taste, the value of which is known to few, but which will always be esteemed and sought after by some.

Of such sort is Euclid's Elements, which has continued in the esteem of the world above two thousand years. Such likewise are Sir Isaac Newton's "Optics," and his "Principia," which will for all ages be called for by the few that understand them. Such likewise are Trigonometrical Tables, &c., which never can be out of fashion, or out of use, and which may be affixed to,

* The substance of Mr. Strahan's objections to the new method of printing had been communicated to Mr. Colden by Mr. Collinson.— EDITOR.

and are convenient for, many different books. And yet all these books, and others of the kind, have but a slow sale. The composing of them for the press must likewise be more difficult and expensive, because the composer cannot be assisted by the sense, and a mistake in one letter or figure frequently disturbs the whole. Some of these have been often cut on copper plates (with profit I suppose to the owners), and yet certainly they might be impressed on printing metal by types en creux in the method I propose, with much less expense than by engraving and by the rolling press.

I accidentally, last summer, fell into company with a printer, the most ingenious in his way, without question, of any in America. Upon my mentioning my thoughts, which I wrote to Mr. Collinson, he told me of the method that had been used in Holland, which you likewise mention, but he thought the method by types en creux to be an improvement of that method. And, as he is a man very lucky in improving every hint, he has done something on this foundation, which I have seen, and which has puzzled all the printers in this country to conceive by what method it is done. As printing is this man's trade, and he makes a benefit of it, I do not think myself at liberty to communicate it without his consent, though, as to my own part, I have no interest in keeping the secret; nor had I, nor have I, any other view in what I formerly wrote, than to communicate a thought which I fancied might be of use to others.

What I have wrote perhaps may occasion some reflections to you, that may not prove of loss to you in your way. If I can make any return for your civility by any service in this country, you will oblige me by giving me an opportunity to do it, and shall be glad of

any occasion worth your while to continue the correspondence. If you think proper to inform me of the common charge of printing, and the price of common printing-paper, perhaps it may give me an opportunity, some time or other, of serving you.

Happening to be in this city about some particular affairs, I have the pleasure of receiving yours of the 28th past, here; and can now acquaint you, that the Society, as far as it relates to Philadelphia, is actually formed, and has had several meetings to mutual satisfaction. As soon as I get home, I shall send you a short account of what has been done and proposed at those meetings. The members are;

Dr. Thomas Bond, as Physician.
Mr. John Bartram, as Botanist.

Mr. Thomas Godfrey, as Mathematician.

* This letter was first printed in the American Medical and Philosophical Register for October, 1811. The manuscript was obtained by the editors from the papers of Cadwallader Colden. Accompanying the printed letter is a beautiful fac-simile of the original in the handwriting of Franklin. The AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, as afterwards instituted, was formed out of two Societies, of which the above was one. The other was the Society for promoting and propagating Useful Knowledge. The two Societies were incorporated into one, called the AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, in December, 1768; and in January, 1769, Franklin was elected the first President, although he was at that time in England. — EDITOR.

Mr. Samuel Rhoads, as Mechanician.
Mr. William Parsons, as Geographer.

Dr. Phineas Bond, as General Natural Philosopher.
Mr. Thomas Hopkinson, President.

Mr. William Coleman, Treasurer,

B. F, Secretary.

To whom the following members have since been added, viz. Mr. Alexander, of New York; Mr. Morris, Chief Justice of the Jerseys; Mr. Home, Secretary of do.; Mr. John Coxe, of Trenton; and Mr. Martyn, of the same place. Mr. Nicholls tells me of several other gentlemen of this city, that incline to encourage the thing; and there are a number of others, in Virginia, Maryland, and the New England colonies, whom we expect to join us, as soon as they are acquainted that the Society has begun to form itself.

I am, Sir, with much respect,

Your most obedient humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN.

FROM WILLIAM STRAHAN TO C. COLDEN.

Objections to the proposed New Method of Printing.

SIR,

London, 9 May, 1744.

I was favored with yours of the 3d of December last, in answer to a line I sent you by Mr. Collinson's direction. The desire you have of promoting any useful discovery is very laudable; but in the present case I own I do not think it can be of the benefit you seem to imagine. For as to the books you mention, though they are of great and lasting utility, their sale is very insignificant; besides that they are the properties of

C*

particular persons, who have always a number of them sufficient to supply the market, and therefore would not easily, if at all, be induced to try any other method of printing them than what they have been used to.

In the mean time, I make no doubt but what you propose might be useful in some sorts of Tables, such as Tables of Interest, Logarithms, &c., provided the first expense was not too great. At present the printers here keep several things, which are often wanted, continually standing; such as "The Psalms" in metre, in all sizes, "The Proverbs of Solomon," several school books, and classic authors, "The Child's Guide," the "Catechisms," &c. &c., till the types are quite worn out, which, you know, answers the very same end as the method you propose. As to what you mention of some sorts of wood, I own I do not know any thing of the way you would use them, and therefore can form no judgment of their usefulness, nor do I desire or expect you should discover any thing of it to me, without the consent of the person you mention, who has already tried it, and whose business it is to profit by any discovery his uncommon abilities may enable him to make. From the character you give him, I am sure it must be Mr. Franklin you mean, whose fame has long ago reached this part of the world, for a most ingenious man "in his way." I have had the pleasure of corresponding with him lately, and have sent him by The Mercury, Captain Hargrave, one of my journeymen, to whom he intends to give the management of one of his printing-houses. His name is David Hall.* If he is

* This person was long associated in business with Franklin. In his autobiography he characterizes David Hall as "a very able, honest, and industrious partner"; and adds, "he took off my hands all care of the printing-office, paying me punctually my share of the profits. This partnership continued eighteen years, successfully for us both."-EDITOR.